Regini row in past - Mihajlovic

Sampdoria travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta on Sunday with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic having apologised for his violent reaction after Tuesday's derby draw with Genoa.

Mihajlovic confronted his own player Vasco Regini seconds after the final whistle to reprimand the Italian defender for giving away a free-kick in stoppage time which Genoa almost converted.

The game finished 1-1, leaving Samp in seventh spot in the Serie A standings - level on 36 points with sixth-placed Genoa.

"If I gave the wrong impression I am sorry," Mihajlovic told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I defend my players but if they do something wrong, I tell them.

"If I do something wrong, I apologise.

"Unlike what was reported, I did not grab Regini by the neck.

"I just got him by his shirt and put my hand on his chest and screamed at him that such mistakes are unacceptable, especially in a derby.

"If the game had lasted another three minutes, that episode would never have happened because I would have had the time to calm down.

"But I apologised on television for it and I apologised to the player again in the dressing room in front of the whole team.

"It all ends there.

"Now we must focus on our next game."

Samp have not won since January 18 and have clinched three points since - all from draws.

The Blucerchiati will not be at full strength this weekend, with midfielder Pedro Obiang and Roberto Soriano as well as Samp's leading scorer Citadin Eder all suspended.

Luis Muriel is expected to replace Eder and partner Stefano Okaka in attack.

Stefano Colantuono's Atalanta lost 2-1 at Juventus last time out - their third straight loss - and cannot afford any further slips if they are to remain above the drop zone.

The Bergamaschi hold the last position of safety and are one place and just three points clear of Cagliari, who are 18th.

Atalanta will be without midfielder Giulio Migliaccio, who must serve a one-match ban on Sunday.